The Peasants news page

30 december, 2003

After 22 years of ownership, I am selling my beautiful Gibson Les Paul Custom Cherry Sunburst guitar. It is well worn, having been played for many, many years on the streets of Boston throught the late 1980s and early '90s. If you or someone you know is looking for a great, old vintage Les Paul, this is the one and you can contact me here at: peasants@speakeasy.org.

28 december, 2003

Back in Boston, sick as a dog. Made it back just in time. Not much to tell when I'm not out driving around hitting deer and getting pulled over but I'll try.
Fortune Records and a few friendly Dutch bands helping us go back to Europe in March. Waiting to see how it pans out. Sidekick Bob and The Riplets are trying their best. Keeping fingers crossed for a return across The Pond.
Saw Bonnie and Clyde w/Warren and Faye last night. Wow! Reminded me of how backward and poor the USA was a few years ago. During The Depression, which none of us remember, it was pretty brutal around here. Next time you want to vote Republican, remember The Depression.
JFK. As if I haven't had enough. Brother Paul handed me Seymour Hirsh's book, The Dark Side of Camelot. Again, wow!! That guy sure did like to sleep around. And he was half dead already. He was lucky to be walking around at all. Some say he had himself killed. I don't believe it for a second but a lesser man would've killed himself if faced with the pain JFK faced each day.
Wish I had a few gigs to plug but I don't. Hope you are well and warm this winter. And thank you for your attention, kind reader.

21 december, 2003

BOSTON, MASS: Home. 15,000 miles in 2 months. 25 shows, a few open mikes, protests, recordings, jam sessions and back to Boston, crashing in the basement of my former apt. Cozy. Roommates are cool. Good to see my cat again. Playing with Beefy DC New Year's Eve at The "newly renovated" Abbey Lounge. Should be fun. Come down if you're in Boston w/nothing to do on Amateur Night.
Will be working on some new stuff as well as March Tour to Holland/Germany and US Spring Tour Acoustic across the USA again in April-June. Peace?

17 december, 2003

Somewhere in North Carolina: Spent one day in Paradise (Key West, FL). It was beautiful, sunny, hot, with beaches and wide open shores overlooking both the bay and the ocean but I couldn't get into the human jukebox Jimmie Buffet mentality. No good gigs or audience here. All tourists trying to escape themselves. Not ideal Peasant audience. Cheapest motel in Key West was $60. so I bought a tank of gas, turned the AC on and went to sleep in the back seat. Peasant Motel.

Woke up with the sunrise and drove 900 miles north in 18 hours, ending up here in North Carolina at a friend's place. Kids have the flu. I hope I don't get it.

Eighteen hours driving, 900 miles... I need a little breather before the final push to Boston. Home for XMAS. Have managed to ignore holiday hype. Plan to continue. Which brings me to this...

If Jesus Christ knew what was going on in his name each year he'd be rolling over in his cave, bashing his head against the stone wall, screaming "I said love your enemy! Now they're slaughtering each other and buying shit for my birthday??? What the fuck...?"

It's been a good run. Two months across the USA. Been to all four corners of the mainland. Seen alot. Memorable sign in Florida said "Thank you God for George and Jeb Bush." 2,500 Miami Police beat the shit out of 10,000 protesters, mostly senior citizens and union members, during WTO meeting.

People are very fundamentalist down here. Their radio stations are mostly preachers explaining the bible to people who must be idiots. Every bible station has a "preacher" laboriously explaining what God meant to the listener who is assumed to be a complete moron. Hmmm... I don't think southern people are stupid but I do think there are enough idiots sending money to these preachers to make it worth their while to keep talking like this. Plenty of fools waiting to be separated from their money.

Noticed a pattern of fools separated from money in three places. Key West, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Three places with rampant consumption of dumb shit. Lowest common denominator glitz. Beautiful places filled with stupid shit. Seems to be a pattern in America. LET THE BUYER BEWARE should be written on the Statue of Liberty.

15 december, 2003

KEY LARGO, FL: Drove all night and day to get here from Nashville. Beautiful, sunny, warm, everything Boston is not. Looking for local gig and play on the street to whatever tourists are around.
Strange birds around here. Haven't seen any alligators yet but will keep my eyes peeled. Arno of Sidekick Bob and Riplet Janneke are trying to book shows for The Peasants tour in Germany for March. We hope they are successful working with Thomas/Fortune Records.
What else? How's your Xmas shopping going?? I heard the economy is great now. Does the capture of Saddam Hussein mean we have to give back Iraq? I was kind've hoping we could keep the oil and they could have their freedom, so long as we find it appropriate and in our best interest. Discuss!

13 december, 2003

NASHVILLE,TN: 890 miles from Austin, TX for anyone who wants to know. Playing here tonight at The Family Wash. May try to do open mike at Bluebird Cafe where all the Nashville Songwriter wannabees go. Still thinking of FL. Good visit w/friends in Austin. Heard it's freezing in Boston.

10 december, 2003

Still in Austin, TX. Found the great open mike coffeehouse at Ruta Maya, S Congress, next to EXPOSE Strip club. Great stage, sound, setup, coffee. Played five songs and sold a bunch of stuff.
Saw some old friends from last time I was in Austin, NINE YEARS AGO, when I had tendonitis and thought I would never play guitar again.
MOST KICK ASS BAR ON A MONDAY NIGHT AWARD!! Went to an open mike at this place called The Longbranch Inn on Monday night and it was incredible. Place was jammed to the gills from 9 pm till closing time. People were drinking like fish, hot girls everywhere... it was like a Motley Crue video. Anyway, if you're ever in Austin, TX on a monday night, go to Longbranch Inn, 1133 E 11th St. You won't be sorry.
Oh yea.. staying with a friend who moved down here from Boston. They have this beautiful trail around a river that runs thru town. We ran SEVEN FUCKIN MILES yesterday. Still standin.

8 december, 2003

Drove SIXTEEN HOURS straight to Austin, TX. About 700 miles in one run. Whew!! Never been thru Texas. Flew to Austin a few times but never drove. Texas, as some of you may know, is fairly big. Coming from New Mexico I noticed a horrible smell, like oil burning. Thought it was my car. Then I thought it was the guy in front of me. Nope! It was the whole fucking country outside. They got so many oil wells here that it constantly smells like shit! I couldn't believe it! I feel sorry for the people who live here. They have to smell shit all the time. I guess you get used to it... I guess?
Austin, on the other hand, is beautiful. Sunny, warm. They have trees, it smells great, no oil, the city is full of green and looks like they actually planned the building of it. Great place. Gonna stay here all week and do some open mikes. Always liked Austin. Live Music Capital of the World.... if you like blues and country music.

4 december, 2003

Tonight! Myself and Billy O'Malley will be rocking at Money Talks in Las Vegas. It's in Vegas somewhere. Starts around 9 pm. Come down and don't go to the fuckin Venetian. Those people SUCK!!!
Vegas O'Malley and I have been burning around Vegas the last few days, busting in to open mikes and open stage jams, doing short sets of Peasant songs. People of Vegas seem to really like the music.
Heading out east tomorrow, toward Austin, TX. Heard there's some good open mikes on Monday night, particularly at Antone's and The Continental Club, places that Stevie Ray Vaughan used to play. Austin is a great town. Hailed as the Live Music Capital of the World. Was there in 1994, when Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden) was a hit. 100 degrees every day in the summer. So this is the perfect time to go.

3 december, 2003

Venus Club gig in Las Vegas, NV cancelled for the second time. Massive fuckups all around but doesn't seem to matter. Have done two open mikes in this glitzy, hot babe drenched adult fantasyland since I got here on Monday and having a blast kickin back with Billy 'Vegas' O'Malley.
We went to an old school 70s style bar last night that was having an open band night. Not ready for prime time rock bands playing at being rock stars. Got asked to do a few acoustic numbers between bands. Went up and did 3 songs. Got a good response. Left.
Billy and I have been jamming a few tunes from the new record and will go out tonight and see what kind of stage we can find to rock on. Bass, acoustic and the stratospheric backup of O'Malley will be a welcome change though I must say I have been diggin' this rockin' the acoustic solo shit.

2 december, 2003

Twelve hours driving from Colorado Springs to Las Vegas through some of the most breathtaking American landscape rarely seen by most Americans. Utah is unbelievable. Beyond description. \
Hooked up with Billy "Vegas" O'Malley right away upon entering ... well.. Vegas, and went to an open mike chock full o' freaks.
Old rocker playing AC/DC to a drum machine, a young rapper bustin night moves on the mike to his bimbette in the front row, a white boy trying to be hispanic... it's alot like LA here is my first impression. Lot's of people trying to find themselves or be someone else.
I did a few songs and we went to a restaurant. Vegas is fun when you know people. Billy works for Blue Man Group as a musician so I'm gonna catch the show tonight. Weather is incredible. Warm, dry, nice. Billy has a house too. With a swimming pool. Boston punk doin' alright.

26 november, 2003

Week 12 and ONE HUNDRED TWENTY FOUR COLLEGE RADIO STATIONS ARE PLAYING WELCOME TO MY COUNTRY. Thought it was all done. Keeps climbing those college charts.
Also sold my last copy of Out On The Street (Blat/1997) at Round Midnight Monday night. SOLD OUT!!
Penny Lane, nice audience, classic coffeehouse gig. Quite alot of talent.
Huge protests in Florida not seeing any press coverage. Alot of people there protesting the Globalization (read Exploitation) of people all over the world. Apparently Governor Bush sent out the police and the National Guard who used plastic bullets, gas and all kinds of other weapons of mass destruction on Americans practicing their right to free speech.
Happy Dead Indian Day and say a prayer for all the American soldiers being killed in Iraq for George Bush and Co.s selfish invasion of a country that had nothing to do with 9/11.
And for the record, it is not only the right but the responsibility of every Iraqi to kill as many of the invading troops as possible. The USA and UK as well as any other countries who've donated cannon fodder to this Invasion are the "Redcoats." So congratulations my fellow americans!! We've become the assholes we fought against in 1776. Remember?? The Revolutionary War?? When we shot at English Soldiers from behind trees and stone walls as they marched down the road?? Yes, we were the Terrorists back then. We were the insurgents. The Rebels. The scumbags to be wiped out. Remember your history cuz he who forgets it is destined to repeat it. Unfortunately we now have a Resident Select in the White House who probably never studied much of anything, much less history and as long as we follow him, we and many other innocent people will die for his ignorance.

25 november, 2003

ONE HUNDRED EIGHTEEN COLLEGE RADIO STATIONS ARE PLAYING WELCOME TO MY COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After eleven weeks out in the US and Canada, we are making some noise. Played last night in Boulder, CO at 'Round Midnight in the downtown area. Good turnout. Playing again at Penny Lane Coffeehouse then have Thanksgiving off.
Going to Las Vegas after that to visit Billy O'Malley, who toured with The Peasants back in 1998. He plays for a Blue Man Group now.
From Vegas I hope to reach Austin, TX, the Live Music Capital of the World and then on to Nashville.
Emailing furiously back and forth with Europe, trying to get a tour organized for the month of March. Working on dates in Holland, Germany and surrounding countries. If you are reading this and have any ideas for shows, in the US or Europe, I'm all ears. Please don't hesitate to write.

22 november, 2003

Just drove eleven hours from Flagstaff, AZ to Colorado Springs, CO. In snow. Tired. Staying w/friends here.
Sorry to be yet another East Coaster saying LA sucked but it kind've did. Unfortunately, cuz it's beautiful and the weather is amazing. I think it's too amazing for people to sit inside and listen to songs. There's too much going on.
Highlight was making $2.50 in the parking lot with Juan. Not true! Was great seeing friends and playing the few places I did do. I'm sure there's a few decent acoustic venues in LA. I just wasn't at them.
I'll go back in the spring and bring a bathing suit.
Looking forward to two shows up in Boulder this week and hanging w/East Coast transplants here for ThanksGodSakenThanksForGivingUsThisBeautifulCountrySorryAboutTheNativesGettingTheMassacred...oops! But it'll be good. Rich and I will create a Christian Home Recorded Record. I have a few godlike song ideas.
Just glad the drive is over. My good friend Chris Teta has a B'day tomorrow so get to see him and then Billy O'Malley in Las Vegas next week. Yeehaa!!! Touring is a great excuse to see your friends...if this can be considered touring. More like driving all over the fucking country and occasionally playing a few songs to a few folks for a few bucks. Then driving all over the place some more.
I'm not gonna get into all the drugs, blowjobs and limos w/record executives... Who wants to hear that shit anyway!?!?

20 november, 2003

Thursday, November 20, 2003 Was hanging out in the parking lot with Juan, the parking attendant, waiting for Pete and Billy Close. I was strumming the guitar and after they paid Juan, a few of the Mel Diners tipped ME!! Well alrightah!!

Played Brennan's Pub last night in Marina Del Rey. Another bar. The regular band was very gracious to let me get up and do a set. Was sparse but friendly. Tonight at Top Fuel could go any which way. Still looking for the good coffeehouses in LA. Don't know where to begin in this big, beautiful sprawling mess.

Got a show in Nashville on the way back East. Place called The Family Wash run by a former Bostonian, Jamey Rubin. Should be fun. Heard there are a few songwriters in Nashville so it'll be good to play there... I think.

Been in Los Angeles three days now and haven't done a goddamn thing 'cept hang out at Venice Beach in the sun. It's beautiful. Sunny. Warm. LA.
So far my gigs in the LA area have been falling apart. Zen Sushi had no idea who I was and it was just as well. It was a rock club for young bands with nobody listening. Managed to find a coffeehouse gig on Sunday and played a few songs there. It was cool. Next alleged appearance is Wednesday at Brennan's Pub, Marina Del Rey.
Got a last minute show in Nashville on Saturday, Dec 13th??? Not sure but it's in Nashville, a Saturday and it's at a place called the Family Wash.
Last night hooked up with Boston rock veterans Billy Close (The Freeze/Beefy DC/The Peasants) and Todd Spahr (Cavedogs/Rockbottom/The Peasants). We had a great time talking trash East Coast style on the sidewalk of my dead gig.
In other news, I made it into Sleazegrinder's book, Gigs From Hell, wearing a pizza. Rock and Roll!!!!

San Francisco, CA: Played totally unplugged (no electricity) into a small coffeehouse room last night in San Francisco. Completely naked without a net in a matter of speaking. Room was small enough that it could be done so long as the audience shut up. The owner of the establishment would hiss at you if you talked too loudly and disturbed the performance.
Though not my first choice for a performance I must admit that it was probably one of my best shows on this tour. The room was packed with friends, the sound was excellent and the set included the finest Peasant moments capturable on a lonely acoustic guitar.
And while we're at it, that Takamine guitar sold to me by my good friend Ray (Beefy) Neades continues to kick as much ass as a lonely acoustic guitar possibly can on this long road. Thanks again, Ray. How you gonna get hurt?
Today I am leaving this beautiful city and headed down the coast to LA where at least three former Peasants currently reside. Looking forward to it.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA: Drove down in about 8 hours. CA immediately warmer and a bit trashier than lush green of the Northwest. Welcome the warmth after the snow of South Dakota.

Walked into The Stork Club and immediately felt depressed. Shithole rock club. Kind of club The Peasants have been playing for years. And, of course, they put me on last. Two bands and then.... me! Ugh! I was ready to walk. Last thing I want to do is play to the crickets in some toilet in the middle of Oakland... but a happy bunch of fans I never met showed up, drank shots of Tequila and danced liked maniacs during my little acoustic set so it ended up for the best. These folks saw me playing on the streets of Cambridge 4 years ago and loved the CD they bought. Just goes to show you don't ever know what's gonna happen.

Then last night I had off so I went round to the Open Mikes San Fran has on Wednesday. Did one song at The Canvas Gallery on 9th and Lincoln, and 3 songs at The Triangle Lounge. Everyone was real friendly. Even sold a few CDs right there at the open mike. Try to get a gig at The Canvas Lounge next tour.

Today must drive to Davis, CA., a college town about an hour from here. Been staying with the beautiful Marie Riccobene who is an accomplished actress in this fair city now. She has been a friend of my clan forever and it's great to be hanging out with her.

Eugene, OR: Played in rehabbed church in Portland, OR last night to super appreciative crowd of local songwriters. It's a new space called Mississippi Studios run by Jim Brunberg. Great place for acoustic acts. Brand new. Excellent sound and overall room. Like Portland, esp. the people.
Night before played at The Tequila Bar to local alcoholics. Very cool crowd though sparse. Had a good time with them. Lotta laughs.
Friday night was in Seattle again with Lee Rude and his band. Good time. Seattle is a great city too. Weather is good. Seems to be getting warmer and wetter as I go south. Andras, my new godsend friend and booking superman, is working on a spring 2004 tour for USA. Hope to get a few college shows as well. Anyone with any ideas for clubs, colleges, anything please contact me here. Go to contacts and choose your weapon.
I'm at Sam Bond's Garage tonight in Eugene. Everyone says this is such a great place to play. Everyone!! I'm looking forward to it. ROCK!!!!

Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA: Damn they got some big ass trees here. Massive pine trees all around this school. Can't even see it from the road. Am sitting in the library here at Evergreen State, waiting to go on the radio and do acoustic set for the good people of KAOS.

Had a busy day yesterday. Did a radio show up in Bellingham at KUGS. The dj was way cool. Thanks Mike. We had a good time. He basically let me do whatever I wanted. He got a t-shirt for being so cool. Then I went to Stuart's Coffeehouse where I met some great folks who stayed from 7 till 10 pm., listening to all my stuff. Had a great time there though attendance was sparse. Don't these people know who I am?!?! Apparently not.

Still I had a great time in Bellingham for some reason. Really like it up there. Beautiful country. Massive trees everywhere. Laid back people. I should shut up cuz all the East Coast Lunatics will start flooding the place, driving like maniacs and putting up billboards everywhere.

Another good sign. Went into a town and didn't see a Walmart. And there were small businesses all over the place... you know.. the way it used to be? Also managed to go to the YMCA. Best seven bucks I spent on this tour!! Felt good to get out of the car and pump some iron. Anyone who's ever been on a Peasant tour knows we always go to the gym and work out. It's just what we do. Some bands sleep it off in the van. Shoot up. Whatever. We go to the gym.... oh yea, AND ROCK!!!!!!

This tour is going fast. Halfway over. Just getting into the swing of it now too. Must say the folks here in the Northwest LOVE their coffee. They have Espresso shacks out by the road all over the place. You can't go wrong. You are never more than a block from a quality dose. To me this is heaven. Cheers!

One Hundred Five College Radio Stations now playing The Peasants new record Welcome To My Country as of last week of October. This is the ninth week the record has been out in the United States and Canada. Many College DJs are not playing it as much as they would like because of the profanity they are too lazy to edit out. I forgot to censor myself.... again. FUCK!!!

Encore:

KAOS ROCKS!!!! Evergreen State College. I Love This Place!!! Just got done with radio show. DJs let me play a whole bunch of songs. It was really relaxed. KAOS is a great station. Loving the college radio people. They only care about music. Weird!!

05 november, 2003

Seattle, WA: Red Velvet bar w/beautiful stage and awesome sound @ The Sunset Tavern/Seattle. Great people. Seattle is huge, friendly and overwhelming. Coming back in a few days. Going up to Bellingham today.

Heard Bush signed Abortion ban bill. So now all you idiot women will have your babies whether you like it or not. Heard they want to ban sex in Africa too....try to stop AIDS. Yea, that'll happen. Bush is hated in the Pacific Northwest apparently. All these coffee drinkers read too much. Aren't logging enough hours in front of the idiot box. Maybe Bush should ban reading too.

Heard Al Gore won Florida by a landslide in 2000 but the Democrats rolled over for Bush and Co. because they didn't want people protesting in the street. Morons!
God, did they ever fuck up!

OLYMPIA, WA. Huge Pine Trees!! It's true. They got big ass trees here in the Northwest. And it's cold. Raw, wet cold. Everyone wears those Pearl Jam hats. Yup! Pretty friendly. Great coffee and beer.

After driving two straight days thru some beautiful country.. South Dakota, Montana, Idaho... I got to Olympia Sunday and played at The Go Club. Great room. Between two great bands. Nobody there.

Stayed at awesome talent buyer Audrey's place. Thank you Audrey. Went to Tacoma next day and played on radio station at Pacific Lutheran University. Very cool djs. Did 5 acoustic songs. Swag. Nice guys. Did an open mike at Tequila Bar last night. Hung out with Andras Jones.

I guess that's it. Heading to Seattle tonight, then Bellingham. NW is definately beautiful as is all the country around here. Undeveloped, natural beautiful country. Olympia is a very cool little college town. Tons of great coffeeshops, restaurants, old theatre, bars, lot's of students, bands, cool.

So that's it. Rock and roll.

Rapid City, South Dakota. Great room tonight. Great audience. Drove about 10 hours to get here from Des Moines, IA but it was worth it. Got a speeding ticket too. Just before I hit the Badlands got clocked going 89 mph. Everyone else was speeding so I thought it was cool out here in the middle of nowhere but I guess not.

Didn't have time to stop and look at the Badlands or Mt. Rushmore or any of that other stuff. South Dakota is pretty cool. Alot of nothing. I like it.
Staying with Mike, the guy who opened up the show tonight. He and his girl are being real hospitable. People are really nice on this tour.

Since last I wrote I've had a few adventures.

First thing is I hit a huge Deer about 30 miles outside of Rock Island at 2 am. Was making great time, coming from Oshkosh, WI where I had a terrible show. Nobody there. Nothing going on. Ran smack into a huge deer. No avoiding it. Just walked right out in front of me, determined to get hit. Ended up taking out both headlights, the windshield and the passenger door. Glass everywhere. Nobody around. Pitch black. Took a deep breath and drove the last 30 miles into Rock Island. A cop pulled me over for a broken tail light as soon as I got there. I showed him the front and he left me alone.
$1147.00 later and I'm back on the road.

Had a great string of shows with Chris Dunn in Rock Island. Chris hooked up a show at The Peanut Gallery. We played back and forth and then together. Tons of people showed up on a monday night. We also protested with the union workers in front of Walmart on Wednesday. Media was there. Union guys didn't really know what to make of us but appreciated the help.

Last night in Des Moines played at Java Joes. The Peasants visited there on a tour about 4 years ago. Steve Hart, Ted Condo and Chris Dunn were at that show I think. We played a place called The Safari Club and went to Java Joes for the good dose. Walking in the other night it all came back to me. Had a good show. Loving the acoustic guitar Ray sold me. Takamine, baby!

So that's it. Tomorrow I start driving to the Left Coast. Done with my little midwestern tour.
Now I start the tour that Andras booked. Looking forward to it.
Must try to stay away from Deer and Cops.
And probably a few other things.

Played with Kevin Murnen of Gone Daddy Finch/Toledo on Wed. Kevin currently carries torch for all things drunk and horny a la vintage Mats w/side project The Zimmerman Twins. Classic nugget of night. Want Money, Want Whiskey, Wanna Fuck. Great stuff. Thanks for the hookup Kevin!

Next night was way up in Wisconsin at Culture Club, a tiny coffeeshop in the middle of nowhere run by an activist owner who hates Walmart. Walmart, for those who don't know, pays it's workers shit and is a deathstar to all small businesses in every community it moves into. The good folks here in Manitowoc are opposing the corporate beast. Even have signs out in the fields saying "Don't Shop at Walmart!" Pretty cool.

Lastly, breezed into Chicago yesterday and hooked up with good friend Chris Dunn. Chris, founder of Naked City Coffeehouse in Boston, Late 80s. We ended up doing three different appearances in less than a day. The planned coffeehouse gig, a nursing home for elderly folks and a political rally against the occupation of Iraq. Chris and I always have a good time.

Staying at a converted convent. It is now a place where politically active people live and work out of in the heart of Chicago. Motto is Joy and Justice. Great place. Huge space. Cheap rent. Cool people. Life is different in the heartland. It's called the Stone Soup House.

Off tonight and off to Oshkosh tomorrow.
That's all for now.

Driving through Ohio 1 o'clock in the morning I got pulled over for going 85 mph in a 65 mph. The State Trooper asked me when was my last violation. I was thinking "...hmm, let's see, that would be November 2002, almost a year ago today. I was driving through this fuckin state and got pulled over just like this. What is it about Ohio that SUCKS!!!!! I generally like Ohio but the cops are way anal. I knew none of this would be helpful so I just told him a year ago. Left out the part about Ohio sucking and the cops being anal.

Last year I drove from Boston, MA to Los Angeles, CA and back. I drove from one end of the country to the other with no problems. Guess where I got speeding tickets coming and going??? O-fuckin-HIO!!! Yep!!! Place is anal with speed. Guess it doesn't do any good to tell them Germans can drive way faster than Americans and don't have problems. Speeding tickets are just another tax. A poor man's tax. Wealthy people take a jet. We have to drive. Used to be you could hop on a train.

What happened to the trains you might ask?? With the invention of the automobile, wealthy industrialists like Ford, Carnegie, etc... saw the potential for enormous profits in both oil and cars. Sooooo they bought up all the train companies and dismantled them. Yep!! You probably don't believe that, right? Read your history. And weep. Now we have shitloads of cars clogging our country, traffic jams everywhere, massive smog and pollution, a lower standard of living than in Europe due to lack of mass transportation and a society of alienated people all driving to work in this big hunk of steel all alone in a traffic jam. Thank you dead millionaires.

You still here. I'm not done yet. Example of what I'm saying. I was just in Militiagan where they have zero mass transportation. They have these huge 4 and 5 lane highways all over the place. The whole state is grated with cement. Everyone has a car. In fact, everyone has a car for sale too. I haven't seen that many cars for sale on front lawns since... well ever. They are everywhere. Everyone is selling a car!! And when rush hour comes, everyone is STILL stuck in traffic, out here in the middle of NOWHERE!!! Still!!! Once again, thanks Dale Carnegie, you selfish, profit-driven prick!!

Xhedos Cafe, Ferndale, MI. Great night. Three acts. Everyone was excellent.
Good audience. Hanging out here in Militiagan w/Leif, Angie, Brooke, two dogs and a cat.
We're gonna jam tomorrow, Leif and I. We go way back. Next show is Wednesday in Toledo.
Xhedos has an open mike tomorrow.
Might stop back there if possible.

Driving back from Louisville, KY I heard the Red Sox lose again. Poor bastards. I actually wished maybe they would win this one time. I guess Boston really is cursed. I've heard Red Sox fans say that the Yankees are unbeatable because they are so rich and can buy the best players. Whether they need to win again or deserve to win again doesn't matter. Well that's right. We live in a Market Economy where money buys everything, right or wrong.
Boston Red Sox fans are getting a very, very small taste of what it feels like to be Iraqi, Afghani, Nicaraguan, Phillipine, Mexican, Panamanian... The US has invaded, assassinated, covertly overthrown and/or installed Dictators in all these countries because we were more powerful than the people who lived there. Boston is feeling the injustice of money and power.
Heard an incredible discussion on the radio by a guy named Noam Chomski last night. He's written a bunch of books, is an MIT professor... a smart guy. Check him out if you can. He talks about the politics of the world in a way that will blow your mind no matter where you stand. If you are seeking Truth wherever it may be found, he's a good person to hear. Really incredible.
My little solo tour is going pretty good. Had a good time with the people at Seattle's Coffeehouse in Wooster, OH. Great little room. Definately go back there.
Other than that, nothing to report aside from my standard political bullshit. Been listening to the hate radio all over the country. Rush Limbaugh sympathy club. Send cards and letters to the sick, racist loudmouth.
I guess the difference between being liberal and being conservative is do you care about other people or do you just want to live your life in a selfish cocoon, working and shopping and ignoring the suffering all around you. Bush and Co. would prefer you just go to work and go shopping and leave everything else to him and his corporations as they take control of the world. Who elected this guy?? That's it. I'm done. Thanks for reading.

Lard Zeppelin Rocked The Paradise as the Red Sox lost another
baseball game. Despite pneumonia, J. Mascis kicked much ass on the drums
and with only one rehearsal, we were able to recreate most of the tunes.
Standouts were Celebration Day, Black Dog, Dancin' Days and No Quarter.
We do it again tonight in Northampton at Harry's.
In the Fifth week of being out in the USA, Welcome To My Country is
now playing on SEVENTY FIVE College Radio Stations. Thank You College
Radio! Long Live College Radio!!!

Just back from seeing The Riplets of Rotterdam rock a house party
with The Sleazies and The Spitzz in Providence, RI. They called me from
Rotterdam a few mos ago looking to tour the USA. I was able to connect
them with some great bands in Boston and NYC. They played last night at
The Abbey Lounge with The Kowalskis (NYC) and The Downbeat 5 (Boston).
Every band was rock magic, female fronted and beautiful. The Downbeat 5
were incredible. They have a new drummer who kicks ass!!!
The Riplets have some new songs that are a good sign of things to
come for their next record. They were so excited to be here. It was way cool.
Now they're off to Columbus, OH, the home of founding member Peasant
Bobby Starker who is the proud writer of such hits as "Stuck On Planet
Earth," "Good Thing Once" and "Black Coffee and Cigarettes." He has been
warned he must go see The Riplets rip it up.

Found myself out in a field on the Boston Commons today blasting out
Zeppelin solos to draw a crowd at The Hempfest. A little Heartbreaker, a
little Black Dog and they all come running... just to hear alot of
political activism chatter. Trying to help the MASSCAN people register
voters to change the Marijuana Laws. Kids yelling for songs about Pot.
Realized I don't have any. So I played "Action" and realized there's
drug references all over it so it was cool.
The Big Picture. Don't get distracted by little shit like the
weather, a moviestar in California running for Governor, old voting
machines....duct tape, color codes. The Big Picture is we are being
ruled by Corporations that are not people. They are not in the
Constitution and they do NOT have more rights than Humans. When it's
between people and a corporation, I say FUCK THE CORPORATION!!!
Unfortunately right now your life IS RUN BY CORPORATIONS. Whether you
know it or not.
Seven hours driving to and from NYC yesterday to play solo electric
at a place called The Siberia Bar. It was cool. Playing electric solo.
No bass, no drums. Feels like being on the street back in the early
days. Just me and the guitar, but alot louder!!!
Going to see my friends, The Riplets, from Rotterdam tonight!!! Very
psyched to see them again. It's been too long since I've been back to
Europe. Hope to be back there next February/March 2004.
Saw Scissorfight play around 4 pm. Short but great. Band just got
back from California and they look great. Sounded great. Chris is a
natural frontguy. He's brilliant!! Check out Scissorfight if you don't
already know them. Look up Scissorfight.

Whew!!! Just spent the last 2 days packing and mailing 500 CDs to College Radio Stations. As of this moment Welcome To My Country is officially released in the USA and Canada. If you're in college, call your station and request it. Thanks to Ray, Sandy, Steve, Catherine, Debbie Catalano, Jimmie, Jay, Russell and everyone else who helped get it packed up and out to the public.

A friend in Olympia, Washington is booking a solo acoustic/electric tour for me down the West Coast for November. I'll be heading out sometime in mid-October. If you know of a good coffeehouse or small club, pls email this website with info and we'll try to book a show there. But you gotta promise to come out for me.
In other news, Beefy Scott (of Beefy DC) and I are doing a little Zeppelin Tribute October 10th at Harry's in Northampton, MA. In keeping with the Overweight Tribute Band Theme, J. Mascis (Dinosaur Jr) suggested we call it Lard Zeppelin. Looks like Beefy Scott will be Rotund Plant, J. Mascis is John Heavy Bottom, Frank Padellaro (of King Radio) is on bass and I get to be Jimmie Page!!! Tony Goddess (of Papas Fritas) is on keyboards.

We'll see what happens.

Water pump blew up leaving us stranded on the side of the road on the
way to the Cape Cod show at The Beachcomber. Then we left a guitar
behind. Borrowed a guitar from the lovely Julie of Helicopter
Helicopter, a great pop rock band from Boston and did a blistering set
with Hart and Lieb anyway. Also on the bill was the very excellent
Orange Park from NYC. Everyone was excellent. Booking guy Dano gets
good music into that little lifeguard station. Thanks to everyone who
helped us out!! Also thanks to The Beatings who opened the show.
Good screamers!!

The Peasants and CD Baby.com have joined up. We are now selling our CDs in the USA thru CD Baby.
Pls check them out. They are the coolest.
They sell Independent Musicians' CDs for very little money and they are very easy to use.
Record Companies charge too much money and never pay the bands anyway.
CD Baby charges a few dollars for every cd they sell and they send a check directly to the artist every week a sale is made.

How you gonna get hurt??

CD Baby!!!!!

George Bush tells us we must attack whoever he says we should attack for whatever reasons he fabricates because they may someday attack us and threaten our liberty. We must attack them wherever they are around the world to secure ourselves.

Hmmm... Who elected this guy? But that's another story. Here's Woodrow Wilson on the government and liberty.

"Liberty has never come from the government. Liberty has always come from the
subjects of government. The history of liberty is the history of resistance.
The history of liberty is a history of the limitation of governmental power, not the increase of it "
Woodrow Wilson.

MTV has been playing pieces of a Peasant song on a show called Girls Gone Wild: Uncovered VH1 special.
I am happy to report that we finally got paid for their use of the song Out On The Street. A check arrived today for six dollars and 70 cents.
I hope this encourages all you budding wannabe rock stars slaving away in your basements.
Rock and roll can change your life. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Saw Jesse Malin at The Kendall Cafe on Monday night. Highly recommend him to anyone who likes great songs. He has a record out called The Fine Art of Self Destruction. Highly recommend that too!! In other news, it's fuckin hot out there!!!

Played The Plough & Stars Friday night with Harbo and Dave Lieb. Good
crowd for a weekend in July. Went down to Cape Cod the following day
with Beefy DC and did an 18 song set at The Beachcomber to some very
enthusiastic AC/DC fans. Kevin Shurtleff (Scissorfight) jumped up and
played tamborine during Problem Child (you know, like it is on the
record). It was an excellent night for our Annual Beachcomber Reunion
Show. Craig (BiPolar Coaster) played Milk'um. He also does a great
impression of a shitfaced Arnold Schwartzenager. We had alot of laughs.
I am putting out Welcome To My Country in the United States of
Generica this Fall 2003. Going to do a 500 College Radio Station Mailing
and Powderfinger Promotions is doing the phone call followup. Did this
for Out On The Street in 1997 with a good result. It's the best way to
get colleges to hear your stuff if you can come up with Five Grand.
Lach (Sidewalk Cafe) is trying to help me out too. I'm hoping to hit the
road in October and tour the country for a few months. I need help with
booking and promotion. Anyone who can help or wants to book me can reach
me at (617)571-3111. God knows I can use all the help I can get.
In other news, Fortune Records in Germany wants to bring The Peasants
back over to Europe in February/March 2004. I am very excited to go back
over. I am excited to go anywhere!!! It's pretty damn exciting!! God
bless America and Fuck George Bush!!! Lyin' sack of shit!! As usual, our
President is a criminal and our poorest citizens are in jail.

Went to memorial concert for Mikey Dee at The Paradise Nightclub last night.
Loads of rock and roll people were there to sing, play and pay tribute to
one of Boston Rocks biggest music fans.

Everyone knew Mikey Dee in some capacity. He was one of those people
who just loved music and went out every night to support the local
bands. He was on the radio, in the clubs, basically everywhere and alot
of people are missing him these days.
Every song we play this Friday at The Plough is for Mikey Dee.

God bless you, Mikey!!!
Rock on in heaven!!!

The Sidewalk Cafe, NYC was somber when I arrived thurs. Someone who frequented the Cafe was found dead of a drug overdose.

Played my set and went to Long Island to visit my brothers and sisters who still live there. There are 4 of them still there.
Mom was down in North Carolina visiting a sick friend.

Weather was hot. We took the kids to Jones Beach. They had a blast in the huge waves. Water smelled a little like
sewage but the New Yorkers didn't seem to notice or care.
Place was jammed. Probably about a million people there that day. Some of the parking lots were already closed.
These parking lots can hold 10,000 cars apiece so you know it was getting pretty crowded.
Seems the whole of NYC empties out onto Jones Beach during the summer. Saw alot of tattoos and jewelry.
Big ghetto faction at Field 4. It was great to see everyone enjoying what is left of Mother Nature together.

Back in Boston now, working and playing on the street any chance I get. Hard to find people to play with right now.
Everyone I know is busy making money. The street isn't a priority with most people.
It doesn't pay very well and it's a little scary to most musicians but I love it.
I hope to be out there Friday and Saturday night in some capacity, either with my own thing or
helping The Ethnics rock as their guitarist has a hand injury.

Summer is finally here in Boston. It's high up in the nineties and
everyone is walking around covered in a sheen of sweat. Typical New
England. Freezing cold for six long months, then BAM!!! Heat, humidity,
no escape from the swelter.

Great concert Sunday Night at The Middle East (Downstairs),
Cambridge. A long line of Anti Asshole Americans spilled out the front
door. Howard Zinn, author of The People's History of The United States
said a few words at the outset. Was very funny. Very smart. What you
would expect from a great writer.

Many Boston Rock and Roll Stars took the stage after Mr Zinn. Among
them were Kay Hanley of Letters To Cleo, Dave Herlihy of O Positive,
Jake Brennan of The Confidence Men and Thalia Zedek of Come. I got to do
one song myself. Played The Patriot. You can download it on the
downloads page.

Felt good to see so many talented, intelligent people rocking against
the Bushit!! I was wondering where they all went. See you on the
street!!! Pete

The Outlets, The Freeze, The Peasants, Claymore, Honkeyball, Scissorfight, Give and Mezz.
All these bands were represented at the wedding of Julie and Steve Hart this past Saturday.
The Mezz reunited for a short but jawdropping set of heavy blues.
Jeff Mezzro played a beautiful ballad he penned for his daughter in honor of the newlyweds!!!
It was a touching affair. Not a dry eye in the place during the ceremony which was short and sweet.
Julie looked incredible. Steve was stellar. We were all honored to witness the formal union of these two terribly cool people.

In other news, The Peasants hit the street last Friday night in Harvard Square.

It feels so good to be back on the street again!!!
We'll be out there again Tuesday(June 10th) if it doesn't rain.

Keep yer fuckin chin up!

Last night @ The Kendall Cafe we had six great acoustic performers
doing 15 minute sets back to back. John P from The Rudds, Jedediah
Parish, Army of Jasons...Ray and I did "Jailbreak" by AC/DC
acoustically.

This Thursday we'll be rolling out Beefy DC for one more farewell
show up in motorcycle country. Laconia, New Hampshire has a club on
Weir's Beach called The Paradise Beach Club. Beefy DC will be there.
It's two hours north of Boston if you feel like getting out of town.

In other news, it's been raining for about two weeks now and my soul
is feeling soggy. Roger (from The Psych Ward Orchestra) and I went down
to Newport, RI on Saturday and played outside a danceclub for 3 1/2
hours in the rain under a tent for $250. This was damn near the worst
gig I have ever played in my life. I'm having serious second thoughts
about doing this gig all summer.

Met a girl from Utrecht, Holland last night. Was playing on the
streets of Cambridge with The Psych Ward Orchestra. Was nice to meet
someone from Holland here in Boston. She's been traveling around the
world for the last three months.
Playing solo acoustic shows and on the street with The Ward for the
summer. Taking a break from The Peasants. Working and trying to save for
the next "thing." Thinking about going across the US...maybe the UK.
Recently did a show in NYC at The Sidewalk Cafe, Ave A. Long lost
friend John Bradley surfaced with a video camera and did some really
funny interview bits. You can see and hear them on the downloads page of
this website. Go to Downloads. Then click on movies. Pretty funny stuff.
More short clips from the NYC gig are on the way. Check it out. Fun
stuff. Keep smilin'.

We had a blast at The Abbey Lounge this past Friday. Thanks to everyone who came down to see us off.
The Peasants will be back in a few months.
Meanwhile look for The Psych Ward Orchestra on the streets of Cambridge doing whatever we feel like and hawking CDs.
And if you're down in New York City this week, come see a solo acoustic set of Peasant songs at The Sidewalk Cafe on the lower east side. 9:30 pm.
Wednesday back up in Boston for another acoustic thing at The Midway Cafe. Check the tour page for details.

In other news, Beefy DC is doing a few shows this summer too.
Some huge corporation discovered us and offered us some money to play their huge corporate club
so we're actually getting paid to play AC/DC songs. Might even get The Beef to do a night on the street.
We'll try to keep you posted.

See you 'round the campfire boys and girls!!

We'll be taking a little break after the May 2nd show as Steve Hart, drummist, is getting married to the awesome Julie Johnston.
Anyone who knows them knows they burn the candle at both ends and really need a little breather.
We'll recommence rocking sometime around July Meanwhile you can catch Chris Hull (bass) and myself (Pete)
playing in Harvard Square with a four piece we call The Psych Ward Orchestra.
We play tons of songs from the 60s thru to now and some Peasants stuff too.
Anything pretty much goes out on the street and summertime in Harvard Square is unbelievable.

Girls! Girls! Girls!

So come out and ROCK!!!

Big thanks to all the folks who came out to see us these last few months.

Spring is finally here and we'll be out on the streets of Cambridge as much as possible.

Not planning to do much indoor playing during the warm months so come out to
Harvard Square and soak up the free music .. and everything else.

These dark days of war call for lots of sunshine so come out and soak it up.

Went to NYC this weekend and played solo acoustic at The C-Note and The Sidewalk Cafe.
Heard some great songwriters.
May go down again this weekend and do some more playing.

Beautiful down there on the lower east side with all the cool little clubs and restaurants.
Incredible energy and never a dull second. Didn't play until 3 in the morning and it was fine.

George W getting ready to butcher thousands of Iraqi people for oil. |
During his speech last night to the American people he urged the
Iraqis NOT to blow up the oil wells and everyone in the Sidewalk Cafe laughed.

Apparently he's not fooling anyone here in New York City.
They know it has nothing to do with weapons of mass distraction or the well
being of the Iraqi people. Say a prayer for the people of Iraq, more
than half of whom are children 15 years old and under.

Look at us, The Big Bad United States, about to invade a third world nation of children.
I'm so fuckin proud!! (In case you're a moron, I'm kidding.)

Smashing good time at The Moose Lodge, Westfield this last Saturday
night. Six bands!!! Kids bouncing all over the place, having fun. Great
place to play. Many, many thanks to Justin of The Accidents (who rocked.
Guitarist was sick!) . The kids really liked Frat Boy most.
Thank you Westfield!

Looks like The Peasants need a new plan for touring Europe. Or a
miracle. Or someone with deep pockets. Nobody over in Europe made any
money on us. We're used to it. Apparently they're not so we're looking
for another way. If anyone has any ideas, send them to us.

We played all night last night @ The Plough and Stars in Cambridge, a
small Irish style pub with no stage and tons of fun people. We played 3
full on rock and roll sets with small amps and a few drums. Real, real
intimate. Great place to see a band up close. Really up close. Chris
fell off a table in middle of rocking. Fell flat on his back but
shielded the bass so there was no damage to the instrument. We'll be
trying to play The Plough once a month whenever we're in Boston. Very,
very fun. Drinks are huge, girls are beautiful and everyone is friendly.
How you gonna get hurt??

Great time in Rhode Island Saturday night playing with The Haymakers.
Jake's Bar and Grille was packed to the gills when we got there. Chris
(bass) had been puking his guts out all day with food poisoning. Didn't
want to cancel the show but it was pretty much up to him. He was lying
on his couch quietly dying when I went to pick him up. But then he rose
like Jesus on the third day and helped The Peasants deliver a set louder
than The Gulf War. The Haymakers were kickin up a torrential storm of
rock and roll too but we had to leave cuz Chris was starting to turn
green again.

Tonight I placed in that guitarmegalomaniac contest. Me and a blues
guitarist made it to the semi finals. We go back in two weeks and play
again. If I make it through that, I will be very, very happy. Boston is
home to thousands of great musicians. I hope none of them enter this
contest. Prize is $7,500. It's a very long shot but someone's gotta win.
Wish me luck.

Thursday, Feb 27th, we're back at The Plough and Stars in Cambridge.
Haven't been back for a few years. Too busy touring. Love that place.
Great little Irish pub with live bands setting up right next to the
bathrooms. Gotta move out of the way every time someone's going to take
a leak. Nice place. Come see us if you're in Boston.

We played @ Not Our President's Day Peace Rally and Concert today. All the acts were excellent.
Smoking performance by a very politically charged rap group called The Foundation (www.FoundationHipHop.com).
Also awesome were Roger Miller of Mission Of Burma; organizer Dave Wildman and his band; Evan Greer,
a high school who writes great protest songs and Toshi Hoo (aka Dr. Hoo) who made a video mix with the State of The Union address.Very, very funny. One more person that was great was Miss Dominica K who twirled her baton in a saucy
red, white and blue cheerleader outfit to "Fortunate Son" She looked like the girl on the cover of Welcome To My Country.

I needed this weekend. Millions of people took to the streets all over the world who aren't buying into this bullshit.
The only terrorist is George Bush who is getting ready to massacre the people of Iraq so he can take over their country.
A good sign in NYC this weekend said America does not mean Aggression!
Back off Bush!! Back off from the slaughter of thousands of innocent civilians.
Reign in your bloodlust. Take a page from Clinton's book. You need relief from the pressure of the presidency?
Go get a blowjob! Or go to a fuckin' AA meeting you dry drunk but don't start bombing countries to make yourself feel better.
It doesn't feel better to me and I'm paying for it.
With my wallet and my soul.

Back the fuck off!!

Just got back from NYC where me and a half million other people were protesting Bush's buildup to invade Iraq.
No media covered it. Biggest protest march in the history of New York City,
according to Police and the only people that acknowledged it was WBAI, a publicly
supported New York City radio station (www.wbai.org.). Golf was the big news on television.
Total media blackout. Liberal media? Save it.

No permit to peacefully protest was issued by the city of New York so the rally was forced out into the middle of the street.
Traffic was hopelessly blocked off all over the city as a result. 1st Ave, 2nd Ave and 3rd Ave were completely clogged with protesters.
There was easily a half million and probably more people walking toward the staging area
where speeches by famous people were being made. We never got there.

Thousands of police lined both sides of the avenues, preventing people from reaching the staging area.
Cops had it sealed off but it didn't matter. Everyone did their protest where they stood.
There were already thousands at the staging area. We could hear them roaring blocks away.
I was stuck in the middle of 2nd Ave. with my mom and about 15 grey haired activist women and men who called themselves Pax Christi, an
activist Christian group who go to jail for what they believe. A guy named Ed McNulty was with us.
Apparently he just did some time for protesting at the School of Death down south.
The School of Death is a place where the CIA trains people how to torture and assassinate people.

The Pax Christi people all knew my mom. It was pretty cool. Protesters were very peaceful and happy.
Only time any violence broke out was when the cops on horses charged at the crowd to try to push them back and a few people got stepped on.
I heard that one guy had a heart attack and was taken to the hospital. Not bad for half a million people.
By refusing to issue a permit and trying to break up the protest, the City of New York made it more difficult to
control the crowd and placed both the protesters and the police at risk of being hurt.

Representing against the proposed war were glammed up gay people, mainstream white guys, old ladies, skate punks and rock and rollers,
mothers and their babies in strollers, veterans, scientists, union workers, college students, rastafari, you name it, they were there.
Hundreds of cities all over the USA and the world also held protests. Probably won't hear too much about it in the media though it's
hard to believe they can ignore it and still call themselves media. London had the biggest turnout ever for a protest as well. Millions of
people around the world don't want Iraq to be attacked.

See what happens.

My longtime DJ friend Carmelita of Bay State Rock WAAF invited me on
her show last night. She opened with "Take 'Em Out." Getting alotta
props for that one. Download here! Also played another new one called
"Less and Less." The radio tape sounds so good I'm tempted to release it
as is. Thanks Carm. You are beautiful.
Unemployed and writing new stuff. Spend lotta time walking from the
basement to the 1st floor back to the basement, then check the email,
make some coffee... anything but sit down and write. Good way to spend
the winter if the cabin fever don't kill you. " Heeeeeeeere's Johnny!!!"

Oh yea, Ray, my roommate got me to sign up for the Guitarmegalomania
contest at Guitar Center. It's another one of those greatest guitar
player in the universe wankfestivals but the winner could get $10,000.
so there you go. Beats shoveling snow.

Got together with Dave Hull and made a song about what's going on with Iraq, Bush and all that.
You can download it for free from the downloads page of this website.

Dave is a longtime friend and great musician who also recently acquired the skills of making music on the computer.
We've created a bunch of musical things in the past year or so together.

Dave plays bass on the track.
It's called Take 'Em Out.

We hope you enjoy it and spread it far and wide.